The New Saints learn who could await in Champions League second qualifying round

The New Saints have learned their potential opponents should they advance to the second qualifying round of the Champions League.

Craig Harrison’s side have been drawn against the winners of the tie between FK Vardar of North Macedonia and Kuopion Palloseura, better known as KuPS, of Finland.

However, they must first overcome Sabah FC of Azerbaijan in the first qualifying round.

TNS will make the long trip to Masazir, just north of Baku, for the first leg on either July 8 or 9, with the return fixture at Park Hall a week later on either July 15 or 16.

Should they beat Sabah, the Cymru Premier champions will face either Vardar or KuPS. TNS would be at home for the first leg, scheduled for July 22 or 23, before travelling away for the return fixture on July 29 or 30.

KuPS won their eighth Finnish league title in 2025. They also reached the league phase of the UEFA Conference League last season - the club's first appearance in the league phase of a major European competition.

One win and four draws secured a place in the knockout phase play-offs, making KuPS the first Finnish club to progress from a European league phase to the knockout rounds.

Meanwhile, Vardar won their first Macedonian title since 2020 last season.

The club's only group-stage appearance in a major European competition came in the 2017/18 Europa League after they defeated Turkish giants Fenerbahee in the play-off round.

They lost all six matches, finishing bottom of a group containing Real Sociedad, Zenit Saint Petersburg and Rosenborg BK.

Last season, they exited the Conference League in the second qualifying round against FC Lausanne-Sport after defeating SP La Fiorita in the opening round.

TNS qualified for Europe's premier club competition after winning the Cymru Premier for a fifth consecutive season.

A total of 28 clubs and pairings were involved in the second qualifying round draw held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon.